Joe Ledley's winner allowed Cardiff to forget their financial problems temporarily as they boosted their chances of avoiding relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship.

They prevailed in a dour match in which both sides rarely looked like scoring, until Ledley netted his third goal of the season 15 minutes from time.

Cardiff striker Peter Thorne was heavily involved early on, clearing a corner forced straight from the kick-off and then having the first shot, which went wide after two minutes.

But Thorne's participation ended in the 13th minute when he was replaced by Lee Bullock because of injury.

United, who appeared to be feeling the exertions of their FA Cup replay against Arsenal, showed little in the opening stages and Derek Geary fired their first effort over the bar from long range, while Ledley did likewise at the other end.

Those attempts were the only ones before the half-hour mark, at which point Cardiff's Richard Langley shot over from 20 yards - and that proved the last effort of a drab first period.

Things seemed likely to pick up when the second half began and Bullock took only 30 seconds to test goalkeeper Paddy Kenny for the first time, but the shot shyness continued until just past the hour mark.

The Bluebirds were having the better of it and Jobi McAnuff lashed the ball wide before Kenny denied Cameron Jerome from the best chance so far and then Ledley should have done better when he fired over.

Nick Montgomery had an effort blocked by Cardiff defender Rhys Weston before United manager Neil Warnock sent on Steve Kabba for the ineffective Luke Beckett.

In the 72nd minute James Collins became the first player booked but three minutes later his side took the lead. McAnuff crossed from the left and Ledley was finally on target as he converted from close range.

City goalkeeper Neil Alexander was called into meaningful action for the first time to keep out a Phil Jagielka strike and Warnock's last two throws of the dice were to introduce Alan Quinn and Simon Francis for Montgomery and Andy Liddell.

But the substitutions failed to yield any reward and Cardiff hung for a valuable win.

Teams:

Cardiff Alexander, Weston, Gabbidon, Collins, Barker, Langley, Ledley, Inamoto, McAnuff, Thorne (Bullock 13), Jerome (Fleetwood 87).

Subs Not Used: Warner, Vidmar, Williams.

Booked: Collins.

Goals: Ledley 75.

Sheff Utd Kenny, Geary, Morgan, Bromby, Cullip, Harley, Jagielka, Montgomery (Quinn 83), Liddell (Francis 84), Gray, Beckett (Kabba 69).

Subs Not Used: Barnes, Thirlwell.

Att: 12,250

Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).